Daily Mail journalists select and curate the products that feature on our site. If you make a purchase via links on this page we will earn commission –learn

A sweet hue has been tipped as one of the hottest colours of 2026, bringing back an unexpected trend from a decade ago.

IKEA announced its Colour of the Year for 2026 as Rebel Pink, which is very reminiscent of the girly hue, millennial pink, that was all the rage in the mid-2010s.

Luxury interior designer Jo Hamilton, from Londonadmitted she thought the choice was ‘strange’ but offered her expertise for those who want to incorporate the shade in their home in a mature and modern way.

She told the Daily Mail home style lovers should avoid pairing the blush pink with pale greys, whites and pastels as they could risk their space looking ‘overly sugary’.

However, the London interiors guru recommended going with deep browns, soft charcoals or warm neutrals to give the ditsy shade some ‘grounding’.

IKEA’s Rebel Pink came as a surprising contrast to Pantone announcing the chalky white Cloud Dancer hue as its 2026 Colour of the Yearbut it was a welcome relief for those who crave a bit vibrancy.

Reactions from fans to Pantone’s pick were mixed; however, some home lovers are very excited to hop on the Rebel Pink trend train, saying they’re ‘obsessed’ with the nostalgic shade.

In its heyday, Millennial or Tumblr pink would have been married with things like rose gold metallics, fake marble and geometric patterns – three styles that are unlikely to make a comeback anytime soon.

IKEA is attempting to give the pastel rose pigment a modern makeover in 2026, calling it a shade that is ‘full of energy and sparks joy in any space’.

‘It’s powerful, playful and brings a bold splash of colour into the home,’ the Colour of the Year announcement read.

The Swedish retailer is launching the GREJSIMOS (a Swedish colloquial term meaning ‘thingamajig’) collection, which includes an adorable fuzzy chair cover in the playful pink tint, available in February 2026.

Jo, who specialises in high-end residential and commercial projects, was surprised by IKEA’s colour choice but shared how she would make Rebel Pink look luxurious.

‘It feels quite at odds with where interiors are heading, which is towards calm, material-led, restorative space,’ she said.

‘Rebel Pink might be seen by some as bold and playful, but for me it lacks subtlety and feels difficult to place within a considered, long-term scheme.

‘I can understand it as a branding statement, but from a design perspective, it’s not a colour I’d naturally gravitate towards or use in my own work.’

She said those who were Rebel Pink fans should use it sporadically throughout their homes if they want their space to feel elevated.

‘I’d suggest using it sparingly – as a small accent, perhaps within artwork, a sculptural accessory, or even tucked away somewhere unexpected, like the inside of a cupboard or drawer,’ Jo said.

‘Any sense of elevation would come from using it with a clever palette of contrasting tones, rather than from the colour itself. It would work best when allowed to be a moment, rather than the whole story.’

Rebel Pink could ‘quickly feel juvenile or novelty-led’ is used on walls, large upholstered pieces or anything structural, according to Jo.

‘To keep it feeling grown-up, it needs to be anchored by earthy textures and a very calm surrounding palette. Without that balance, it could quickly dominate a space,’ she said.

Jo added that pastel pinks need ‘grounding’ to work.

‘Deeper, serious tones such as deep browns, soft charcoals or warm neutrals, can help counterbalance its sweetness,’ she said.

‘I’d avoid pairing it with other light or playful colours – pale greys, whites, pastels – as that’s where it can start to feel overly sugary.’

10 REBEL PINK-INSPIRED HOMEWARE FINDS FROM THE HIGH STREET